Gardeners' Notes:

Despite initial success with nice blooms, the first overwintering proved lethal. I kept it in a sheltered position, but some cold spells with lows close to freezing and cold days eventually killed it. I didn't expect it at all because most Clerodendrums are winter hardy here.

This is a beautiful plant when in bloom, and easy on the eyes when not in bloom as well. It's been pretty drought hardy for me, but it does seem to attract some kind of small ant-like insect when in bloom. The ants don't seem to harm the plant, but when they cover the pure white flowers, it's pretty unsightly. On the other hand, I think they may be helping a little with pollination - the groups of blooms with the most bugs seem to develop the most seed pods.

I've collected a few seed but have not tried to germinate them yet. I'm wondering if anyone has had success with a particular method. Should they be nicked or soaked?

I have wanted this plant for some time. I finally got one at a plant sale but it wasn't marked and this place is known for having mismarked plants. I am happy to report that it is the correct plant and the blooms are what I hoped they would be. Really cool. My husband says they look more like golf clubs than musical notes. LOL!

This unusual native of Nigeria blooms repeatedly throughout the growing season over 2-3 days with masses of long white corolla tubes which resemble musical notes and then open with bright red stamens towards the end of the cycle. After flowering, they form a thick, white carpet on the ground all around them. This small shrub rapidly grows to a height and width of about 3’. Like many African natives; it prefers rich, moist soil, and shade in the summer. In the winter, it prefers drier and sunnier conditions. It responds to a balanced fertilizer on a monthly basis during the growing season with an abundance of blooms. The Witches Tongue or Musical Notes plant is very easy to grow and recommended for growing in zones 9-11.